Deante McCray wrapped up his third season at Western Kentucky and knew his future would take him to another school. So he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 9, just days after a loss to Jacksonville State in the Conference USA title game.

But McCray fully intended to play in the Hilltoppers’ bowl game on Dec. 18, a loss to James Madison in Boca Raton, recording six tackles and blocking a field-goal attempt.

The next day, McCray was in Tallahassee.

“Honestly, that was crazy,” McCray said. “I was scheduled to go to a couple of schools. I was on the field during warmups during my bowl game. Then Florida State had hit me up, interested. I told them, 'I'll get back with you after the game. I got to stay focused and locked in.' It was actually a crazy experience.”

McCray was interested in Texas A&M, but FSU was close to home for the Jacksonville native. He felt like FSU was the “best opportunity.” And the fit couldn’t have been better: A high school standout just 150 miles away, McCray had experience in the 3-3-5 defense at WKU and meshed well with what new defensive coordinator Tony White wanted to run.

“It’s a blessing,” McCray said. “Being a Florida kid, you always want to go to the Big 3 in college, which is Florida State, Florida or Miami. I always wanted to be a Seminole, so it’s an honor to be here.”

McCray is a lower-profile transfer addition in the defensive line group. While not an addition, Darrell Jackson bypassed the NFL (and potentially a jump to another school) by staying at FSU. The Seminoles also landed James Williams from Nebraska and Jayson Jenkins from Tennessee.

Williams, of course, has familiarity with the White, defensive line coach Terrance Knighton and the defensive scheme. But McCray spent three years at WKU, playing in 29 games, and has extensive experience in the 3-3-5.

McCray had 56 tackles and recorded 2.5 sacks in 2024 and was among WKU’s most dependable defensive players. He played 519 snaps and graded well overall, 75.4 by Pro Football Focus. McCray earned his best numbers against the run (77.8) and as a tackler (84.5), missing just two in 14 games.

A member of the All-CUSA freshman team in 2023, McCray could have opted for a quick jump to another school. But perhaps it says something that he was patient, understanding he had plenty to learn. He shared his appreciation to the WKU staff for developing him.

McCray and his teammates used the offseason to get to work and build a bond going into 2024. He was an honorable mention All-CUSA pick in 2024, and McCray felt like the time was right to make the jump to a Power 4 program.

“I played a lot of football,” McCray said. “But it was still a lot of stuff I had to learn about the game, such as coverages and fronts, offensive fronts, offensive formations. It was just a lot of stuff that I didn't know. The game of football is big. So I felt like I definitely caught on to it as I stayed the next season (in 2024). And I feel like I'm learning.

“I want to learn how to be a better player myself and help this team to win the championship."

McCray is a redshirt junior. So he presents an intriguing option as a potential multi-year player at FSU who is still developing. He said the Hilltoppers’ and Seminoles’ schemes are similar. “At the end of the day it’s just run and hit, run and hit,” McCray said.

Where he will line up is uncertain, and McCray expressed confidence that he could play “inside, outside, stand up, hand in the dirt.” But McCray appears to be a good fit at strongside defensive end. He’s 6-foot-4 and 283 pounds, and McCray will likely be asked to set the edge and defend the run.

His first impression of White’s scheme is one where he can make plays.

“First impression, I like it,” McCray said. “They let us get after, they let us get after that quarterback. A lot of TFLs, lot of sacks, lot of playmakers on the D line and a lot of playmakers everywhere. But I feel like we got to set that tone first, and I'm ready to do that all season.”

Follow The Osceola on Facebook

Follow The Osceola on Twitter

Subscribe to the Osceola's YouTube channel

Subscribe to the Osceola's podcasts on Apple